Walmart supports Girls Who Code to expand the national tech talent pipeline

The $3 million commitment will support the organization’s first-ever Summer Immersion Programs in Northwest Arkansas, Clubs across the U.S. and in rural areas, and College Loops, university-level networks for women studying computer science

New York, New York (March 8, 2019) – Today, Walmart announced a $3 million commitment to Girls Who Code—the largest commitment in the organization’s history—as a part of an effort to close the gender gap in tech across the United States.

The commitment by Walmart will support the organization’s ambitious goal of growing to 10,000 clubs across the U.S. and in rural areas – nearly doubling the 6,000 Girls Who Code clubs already running across the nation. The partnership will also bring Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Programs to Northwest Arkansas for the first time. The programs will provide computer science programming for girls in rural areas, where fewer girls have access to computer science education and the support necessary to make sure they persist in the field.

“Closing the gender gap in tech will take reaching girls in all corners of the country—and we’re thrilled that with Walmart’s support we can bring our programs to the girls of Northwest Arkansas, and throughout the rural U.S.,” said Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code. “Walmart changed the face of retail, and now through this partnership with Girls Who Code—will help change the face of tech.”

In addition to supporting Clubs and Summer Immersion Programs, Walmart will be a Founding Sponsor of College Loops. Girls Who Code created College Loops to engage the growing Girls Who Code network of college-aged alumni and help them persist in computer science. To date, Girls Who Code has over 13,000 college-aged alumni at dozens of universities across the country.

“Creating opportunity in our communities and making a difference in the lives of our customers is part of our DNA. We’re proud to support the expansion of the national tech talent pipeline to increase the opportunities in technology for women and girls and help close the gender gap in tech across the country,” said Becky Schmitt, SVP of People at Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart Inc. “Our support of Girls Who Code is part of Walmart’s overall commitment to empowering women—whether that’s in our own operations, in our supply chain through our support of women-owned businesses, or in our communities.”

In the United States today, women account for less than 20 percent of all graduates with computer science degrees and less than 25 percent of the computing workforce. With the support of generous companies like Walmart, Girls Who Code is on track to achieving gender parity in entry-level computer science jobs in the United States by 2027.

Girls Who Code has reached 90,000 girls in the U.S. and abroad to date. The organization has 13,000 college-aged alumni, many going on to pursue computer science degrees and secure paid technical internships working alongside professionals in the field. Alumni are declaring majors in computer science and related fields at 15 times the national average. Half of Girls Who Code alumni come from underrepresented groups, and these alumni are declaring majors in computer science and related fields at 16 times the national average.

ABOUT GIRLS WHO CODE
Girls Who Code is an international non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. With their 7-week Summer Immersion Program, a 2-week specialized Campus Program, after school Clubs, College Loops program and New York Times best-selling series, they are leading the movement to inspire, educate, and equip young women with the computing skills to pursue 21st-century opportunities. Girls Who Code has reached 90,000 girls to date. To join the movement or learn more, visit girlswhocode.com.